Bots EDI vs IBM Sterling B2B Integration Suite
Bots EDI
bots-edi.orgIBM Sterling B2B Integration Suite
ibm.comSide by side
| Figure | Bots EDI | IBM Sterling B2B Integration Suite |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 3 |
| Spec score · Data Mapping Software | 7.9 (#5) | 7.7 (#6) |
| Spec score · EDI Software | 7.9 (#8) | 7.8 (#10) |
| Deployment | Bots runs on Windows, Linux, OSX and other Unix variants; the installation documentation says installation is done with Python and there is no specific Windows installer or Unix distribution package. | IBM says the software can be deployed on premises and in containerized environments using a cloud infrastructure of the customer's choice. |
| Integrations | The feature list names VAN connections including X400, IPMail, Sterling Commerce, Inovis, GXS, and InterCommit; it says AS2 is not direct but notes successful implementations using an external module. | IBM describes Sterling B2B Integrator as a single gateway for integrating complex B2B and EDI processes across partner communities. |
| Monitoring | Bots-monitor can show incoming and outgoing EDI flows, business documents, file contents, and acknowledgments, and can notify users by email when errors occur. | Sterling Control Center Monitor provides AI-assisted monitoring, visibility and governance for B2B and managed file transfer environments. |
| Purpose | Bots is open-source software for translating and routing EDI files, used by companies exchanging large numbers of electronic business documents. | The suite provides hybrid cloud software for mission-critical EDI interactions with customers, suppliers, distributors and other trading partners. |
| Security | The features page says the interface can be used over HTTP or HTTPS/SSL and lists different user rights for viewers, staff and superusers. | IBM describes the suite as trusted and secure, and its File Gateway as a secure, always-on edge gateway for internet-based file transfers. |
| Support | The site points Bots NG users to a discussion group on Discord and lists commercial support from Ludovic Watteaux. | IBM's SaaS pricing page says Premium adds managed services and support, including proactive document flow monitoring and error resolution. |
Plans
IBM Sterling B2B Integration Suite
- Essentials editionPrice not published
- Premium editionPriced on request
- Standard editionPriced on request
In their own words
Bots EDI
Bots EDI is open-source software for translating and routing electronic business documents. It is intended for companies exchanging large volumes of EDI files, and the site says it can handle hundreds of thousands of messages monthly. Supported formats include EDIFACT, X12, Tradacoms, EANCOM, XML, JSON, SAP IDoc, CSV and fixed-width files. Translation mappings are written as Python scripts, and a web console lets users configure and supervise translation and routing. Bots provides functional acknowledgments and confirmations, including CONTRL and 997. Communication options include email protocols, FTP, SFTP, FTPS, HTTP(S), file exchange, XML-RPC and direct database access; it can also work with external AS2 servers and VANs. It runs on Windows, Linux, macOS and other Unix variants, with installation through Python rather than a dedicated Windows installer or Unix distribution package. Bots is licensed under GNU GPL Version 3. The current active fork, Bots NG 4.0.0, requires Python 3.10+ and Django 5/6; the legacy Frozen 3.2.0 requires Python 2.7.
IBM Sterling B2B Integration Suite
IBM Sterling B2B Integration Suite has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.